200526471 九、發明說明： L發明戶斤屬之技術領域3 發明領域 本發明係有關於藥劑分配器。 5 【冬好】 發明背景 吸入器提供一種不同的服藥方法，其可供病人吸入藥 物而不是呑下藥丸或喝下或注入藥劑。在某些情況下，例 如欲直接作用於病人肺部的藥物，則吸入法將能使藥物更 10 快地達到目標區域。而且，吸入法一般被認為會比其它的 服藥方法較容易且不痛苦。 許多吸入器係靠著機械式霧化器或加壓筒而來配送藥 劑。該等機構的輸送劑量乃取決於施加在作動機構上之 力，裝入氣體的壓力，及使用者之吸力等。因此，其輸送 15 劑量通常並不精確，故該等吸入器一般僅可供使用於具有 較大劑量容差的藥物。 另種可擇的電子吸入器，例如使用氣泡喷器或壓電喷 器來配送藥物者，乃提供一種更方便的輸送藥劑方法。但 是，藥劑的正壓力可能會使藥物由該吸入器的喷孔洩出。 20 故該藥劑會被以輕微的背壓或負壓來貯存。然而，太大的 背壓亦會使該吸入器的喷嘴缺乏藥劑而形成“未裝填”的 狀態。若該等喷嘴如此地不正確裝填，則吸入器將會因此 而未噴發，致使喷出的藥劑不精確。太大的背壓亦可能使 該吸入器在不操作時吸入空氣，造成氣泡的滯陷而導致噴 200526471 發問題及/或劑量的失誤。 此外，該吸入器所使用的藥劑壓力之變異亦可能在經 久之後改變輸送的劑量。藥劑壓力的變化亦會影響該吸入 器所產生之個別細滴的大小。太小的藥滴可能不會被肺部 5所含滯，而可能被呼出體外。同樣地，太大的藥滴亦可能 不會被肺所吸收，而被呼出體外。 L 明内J 發明概要 本發明係為一種藥劑分配器，包含：一流體藥劑供應 1〇匣；一喷嘴；一蓄貯器導接該喷嘴；一閥會導接該藥劑供 應匣與蓄貯器；一感測器能感測出一蓄貯器特性；及一控 制器可回應該蓄貯器特性來操作該閥。 本發明亦為一種供用於具有一流體藥劑供應匣與一藥 劑蓄貯器之藥劑吸入器的壓力調節器，包含··一順變物導 15接於該藥劑蓄貯器；一閥會導通該藥劑供應g和蓄貯器； 一感測器可感測該蓄貯器内的藥劑壓力；及一控制器可回 應藥劑壓力來操作該閥。 本發明又為一種可調節一吸入器中之藥劑壓力的方 法，δ亥吸入裔包含一流體藥劑供應匣與一藥劑蓄貯器導通 2〇该供應匣；該方法包含：感測該蓄貯器内的第一藥劑壓力； 將所感測壓力相較於一最低壓力；由該藥劑供應匡充填該 蓄貯器；及感測該蓄貯器内的第二藥劑壓力。 本發明又為一種分配藥劑的方法，該分配器包含一流 體藥劑供應g及-藥劑蓄貯器會導通該供應g;該方法包 劑供應匣充填該 含：感測該蓄貯器内的藥劑 蓄貯器、及由讀蓄貯器噴出藥，：由该樂 圖式簡單說明 第1圖示出本發明—實 5 ^2F1 . ^ 貝轭例的吸入器。 =，之吸入器的示意圖。 弟3圖為弟1回 第4圖為太@ ^入器的噴嘴示意圖。 m,'、、未發明一實施例 出該閥在關閉狀能，第 子閥之不思圖44Α圖示 第5圖示出树明=：：】出該闊在開啟狀態。 1〇第《示出本發明一 j之吸入器的操作流程圖。 5〜例之吸入器的製造方法流程 【實施冷式】 較佳貫施例之詳細說明 “閱第181 ’本發明之-實施例的吸人器係被標 15不為1〇。該吸入器10包含-本體12可容納該整體吸氣裝 置在多1本文之後將可瞭解，該吸入器可回應一控制 口口所^出的L就而來喷出_所擇劑量的藥物/吸入劑。適 當的藥物包括-般常見呈液體、固體、粉末、膏狀或其它 形式者。 該吸入器10可包含一顯示幕14，其可對該吸入器的使 用者提供各種資訊，例如服藥次數及/或該吸入器中尚存 的劑量數。或該吸入器在啟動時將會提供的劑量。該顯示 幕14亦可對使用者提供其它的資訊，例如病人姓名、病人 身份字號、主治醫生姓名、主治醫生編號、藥物種類、建 200526471 議劑量、服藥間隔、可行的建議劑量及/或服藥間隔變化 等。應可瞭解，該顯示幕14可被設在該本體12上的任何方 便之處。 该吸入器可包含一或多個輸入機構，例如一按紐16可 5供使用者選擇該顯示幕14所要顯示的資訊，或供修正該吸 入器的操作參數。例如，壓下該按鈕16即可供使用者改變 當時顯示的操作參數，及/或改變該吸入器的輸送劑量。 該吸入器10另可包含一作動器，例如按鈕18，其在被壓了 時將會噴出一劑量的藥物來供使用者經由吸嘴2〇吸入。該 10按鈕18亦可採用一扳機、開關或觸控鈕的形式等。該按鈕 16及/或18係可設在吸入器本體的側邊，如圖所示，或設 在任何能令使用者較方便操作之處。 應可瞭解該吸嘴20係可依據所要噴佈的藥物、使用者 15 的年紀、及所要進行的藥物治療而採用不同的形式包括 例如可套罩在病人之π及/或鼻上的造型。此外，該本體 12亦可被成型為具有能供使用者之手掌及/或手指_@ 區域。本發明並不限於一般傳統机形吸入器，如第^所 ^而亦可包括直筒狀的設計’其中之藥物供應时沿該 吸嘴的同一軸心來置設。 該，人㈣典型包含一喷射裳置22可噴嘴出液體藥 滴，如糊所示。該裝置22包含—流體藥物供應㈣二 Γ頭25合有多數的噴嘴26 ’―閥28可導通該供應H24，一 =:Γ成一蓄貯容積而導通該等噴嘴26，-感測器 感測出流歷力，及-控織34係可回 20 200526471 應该畜貯器内的壓力來操作該閥28。 該噴射裝置的喷嘴係可產生藥劑噴滴以供使用者吸 入。如第3圖所示，各喷嘴彳包含—喷發室％會與該蓄貯器 3〇導通。流體藥劑38可由該蓄貯器3〇自行進入喷發室内。 5各喷嘴可承納-排出量的流體藥劑，而將之容裝在喷發室 内。此係一部份可藉該噴嘴本身的構形來完成，其會在噴 叙至罪近噴孔42處形成一毛細管式液柱凹曲面4〇。通常藥 劑會由於此等凹曲面的存在’而不會在未被喷發的情況下 通過該喷孔。 10 通#，各喷嘴皆包含至少一噴發元件44，而可選擇及 控制地由所對應的喷發室中噴出藥物蒸發形成的藥滴私。 該喷發7L件（亦稱為蒸發元件）可採用相對於噴孔之加熱元 件的形式。在本實施例中，回應一發自該控制器34的信號 (例如：以一預定電壓施經該加熱元件），則該加熱元件會被 15激發，而加熱在該元件附近的藥劑，促使藥劑朝向噴孔膨 脹，並克服該曲面的反向力而將藥劑迫出噴孔形成預定大 小的液滴。該喷滴的大小和軌跡係能依據噴嘴與噴孔的大 小和形狀，以及發散於該腔室内的能量等而來可靠地設定。 當一蒸發液滴被喷出，而該噴發元件釋能（例如冷却) 20之後，藥劑會再度流入該喷發室内，並在靠近噴孔處形成 一液柱凹面後，以一新充填的藥劑來有效地填滿它。 該喷發元件44可採用任何不同的形式，包括例如電阻 器，壓電換能器，振動孔板，或其它能夠被該吸入器之控 制器來獨立作動的喷發器。在各例中，所述的吸入器典型 200526471 白月匕產生一噴泰、、六 貝虱机，而不必使用一喷霧器或推進劑。 土 ^月奢解^亥各噴發元件係得以個別獨立地，或成群 地^以整組嘴嘴的所擇次組地來被控制。藉電子式地控 $喷，7L件的運作速率，乃可控制藥劑的喷出流率，進而 5扰^亥吸入器所產生的藥物劑量。其劑量亦能藉喷發率和 制的適當組合來調節。該等調節典型係可使用控制 34來執仃。控制器34係可經由電子裝置、機械裝置、或 其兩者而來控制吸入器1〇。該控制器34可包含-處理器48 己L體50可儲存醫生、藥劑師及/或使用者所擇的預 1〇物作參數。該記憶體50可包括揮發性發性記憶體、非揮 毛I*生。己u體。或其兩者。使用者輸入，例如在μ及a所示 者典型會導接控制器34，而來提供例如有關所要釋放之 藥物劑量的資訊/指令給處理器48。該等資訊亦可由使用 者、醫生或藥劑師來直接或間接地提供。 15 該控制器34亦會導接喷嘴26而來控制噴發元件44。通 常’該等指令會以電子信號的形式送至一或多個喷發元件 來使該等元件激發，以造成藥滴的噴發。故，當使用者歷 下或啟動該促發輸入18時，控制器34將會發送一發射信號 給至少一噴發元件44。當收到一發射信號時，各噴發元件 20 將會造成一喷滴，如前所述。通常，在一對應噴發腔室内 之藥劑變化的膨脹力，將足以成功地從該喷發室内喷出該 藥滴。該電子信號的持續時間、強度及/或其它的特性亦 可改變，而來改變藥物劑量及/或喷發特性，耑視所用的 喷發元件類型及所需劑量而定。 200526471 該吸入器ίο更可包含一供電器（未示出）。該供電器可一 電池或其它適當的電源，不論是可棄式或永久式的。在某 些情況下，最好該供電器係為一可補充的電源，譬如一可 充電式電池。 5 在蓄貯器30内的藥劑壓力係可將該蓄貯器内的藥劑導 通於一順變物52(如第2圖所示）而來至少部份地調制。該順 變物52係為彈性的，故當該吸入器被啟動，而藥劑由該裝 置噴出，且該蓄貯器内的壓力減低時，則該順變物52將會 例如彈性變形而縮入該蓄貯器内。此順變機制乃可用來調 10 節該蓄貯器内的背壓。或者，該調制壓力亦可為一正壓力， 而該順變物則能在當藥劑供源充填該蓄貯器時彈性地變 形，因此在壓力減低時該順變物即會鬆弛。 該順變物的彈性係可藉一彈簧袋、橡膠囊、隔膜、或 其它適當的機構來提供，而不超出整體概念範圍。該順變 15 物並不需要是該吸入器之一個別構件。例如，該蓄貯器本 身亦可形如一順變物，而在該蓄貯器内的壓力改變促使其 内的藥劑更新之前，該藥劑會由該吸入器内被喷出至少一 次。同樣地，該蓄貯器本身亦可由一充分彈性的材料來製 成，故其本體即可用來調節内部的壓力。如上所述，若該 20 喷射裝置22所用的喷發機構可在正液壓下來順利運作，則 該順變物亦可被設成能提供一經調制的正壓力於該蓄貯器 内，而非一負背壓。 藉著調節該喷嘴内的藥劑壓力，則該吸入器的操作參 數乃可被設成對該吸入器本身的定向較不敏感。即該吸入 200526471 器縱使被呈一角度來執持亦能有效地操作。此外，藉著監 測該蓄貯器内的流體壓力，則該吸入器的控制器將能進一 步檢出藥劑的低存量，而能在藥劑用完致負面地影響操作 之前來中止該吸入器的操作。 5 該順變物的作用有助於避免該藥劑壓力的短暫衝高 (或“突峰”），因此可協助調節被輸入該等喷嘴内的流體。 在一實施例中，該順變物係採一彈性膜的形式，而可分隔 外部大氣與該蓄貯器内所裝的藥劑。此等隔膜典型會被選 成使其本身的大小和彈性可造成一操作壓力範圍，此能容 10 許該吸入器由該蓄貯器内的流體送出至少一劑量的藥物， 而不必由流體供應匣透過該閥28來補充該蓄貯器内的流 體。 該蓄貯器的空間可連通於一可控閥機構28的出口，其 會回應於該蓄貯器30内的測得壓力而來開啟和關閉。任何 15 能容許經調節且受控的藥劑由該供應匣添加於該蓄貯器容 積内的閥件皆可適用於此所揭的目的。許多該等可控閥機 構係可由市面購得，而專業人員將可針對實際狀況來選擇 特定的設計。例如，適用的閥機構可包括一蠕動閥（“捏縮 閥體”）、電磁閥、或其它任何可自動運作的閥。 20 應請瞭解雖該閥機構係為啟閉可控的閥機構，但具有 可行流量控制之較貴的閥機構亦能取代一啟閉閥機構。 該閥28的入口可被導通於流體藥物供應匣24。當該蓄 貯器内的背壓達到一最小的可接受值時，該閥28將會開 啟，而使該蓄貯器内的空間導通於藥劑供應匣。藥劑嗣會 200526471 流入蓄貯器内，而提高該藥劑壓力。當該背壓大於一第二 · 個可接雙值時，該閥將會關閉。以此方式，該閥28和順變 物52乃可形成一操作壓力調節機構。典型地，該蓄貯器3〇 内的流體會被保持在一壓力，其可在該等噴嘴26的操作限 5度内來改變，而無干於藥劑供應匣内的壓力。 该閥28可為一電子控制閥。尤其是，小螺線管作動的 - 流體閥會適合於所揭的吸入器使用。若為一較小功率之小 · 型的閥將會更佳，各種微製造閥亦可使用。微閥係指一種 機械裝置其能控制在極細微通道内的液流。微閥係可藉施 書 10加靜電力、磁力、或壓電力而來運作。微閥係可藉例如薄 膜沈積、微影法、微加工等或其組合技術來製成。一代表 性的微閥54係被概示於第4A與4B圖中。該閥54包含一入口 56 ’ 一出口58，及一固定的頂板6〇，一固定的底板62，和 一可撓曲的擋板64含有一密封物66。該撓性擋板64可藉一 15隔離件68與一窄氣隙7〇來與頂板分開。在正常時，該擋板 64會緊抵於固定的底板62，因此密封物66會阻止流體由入 口 56流至出口 58。但是，當_電壓施加於連接職板的電 _ 極72和連接頂板60的電極74之間時，則該擋板斜將會靜電 地撓曲，如第4B圖所示。結果，該密封物將會由該底板移 20開’故流體即可由入口流至出口。 該吸入器可包含-感測器32，其係被設來感測該蓄貯 器之-特性。該感測器可被設成能直接測出該蓄貯器内的 樂劑屡力’或可測出該蓄貯器與順變物所形成的容積，而 來間接地測出藥劑壓力。該感測器會將測量值送至控制器 13 200526471 34’因此當有需要時該_即會操作。在—實施例中，該 感測器係為—壓力感測器而鄰設於該噴嘴25處，因此該感 測器所測出的流體壓力幾乎會相當於各喷嘴26的流體壓 力。此將有助於確保各喷嘴内經調制的流體壓力被限於控 5制器内所儲存的操作參數中。該流體壓力可被持續地感 測或以刀開的0守段來感測，或回應於該控制器或使用者 的特定運作而來感測。 10 15 20 該藥劑供應㈣可與該蓄貯器和喷嘴等-體製成，, 亦可分開地組卸。尤其是，可被卸及更換的藥辦 敍，在例如要重新裝藥時將會特別有用。若該藥劑刻 E的設計具錢體效益將會㈣。即是，該供赫可幾号 完全地耗空’而在當低㈣令該吸人器不能再用時， 不會殘留_於該供應。考量可使觀入器 :安全性、可拋棄性、及成本等最佳化。例如，該 應㈣若加Μ將會因提高可由該供應·送出的藥劑百: 二二大大地改善該吸入器的容積效率。加麼 : ，内的滞留流體體積減少至原來流體體 以下，甚至5%以下，藥劑成本甚 考Ϊ極為重要，因為少吾ώΑ & J ^ 更為佶私 ^ 、__可能纽整個吸^ 更為值錢。而且，有些國家 能有超過某4量的殘存見讀棄的空藥劑容器不 由於這些理由，該供應匠會包含_ 該藥劑供練能被缚。加m 件 · 在^要快速充填諸器容_會被提供至關件^200526471 IX. Description of the invention: Technical field of the invention of the household genus 3 Field of the invention The present invention relates to a medicament dispenser. 5 [Good winter] Background of the invention An inhaler provides a different method of taking medicine, which allows the patient to inhale the medicine instead of taking the pill or drinking or injecting the medicine. In some cases, if the drug is intended to act directly on the patient's lungs, inhalation will allow the drug to reach the target area faster. In addition, inhalation is generally considered easier and less painful than other medications. Many inhalers dispense medicine by relying on a mechanical nebulizer or a pressurized canister. The amount delivered by these mechanisms depends on the force exerted on the actuating mechanism, the pressure of the charged gas, and the suction of the user. As a result, their 15-dose delivery is usually imprecise, so these inhalers are generally only available for drugs with large dose tolerances. Alternative electronic inhalers, such as those using bubble sprayers or piezoelectric sprayers to dispense medication, provide a more convenient method of delivering medication. However, the positive pressure of the medicament may cause the medicament to leak out of the nozzle of the inhaler. 20 Therefore, the medicine will be stored with slight back pressure or negative pressure. However, too much back pressure can also cause the nozzle of the inhaler to lack a medicament and become "unfilled". If the nozzles are so incorrectly filled, the inhaler will not be fired as a result, and the sprayed medicine will be inaccurate. Too much back pressure may also cause the inhaler to inhale air when not in operation, causing stagnation of air bubbles and causing spray problems and / or missed doses. In addition, variations in the pressure of the medicament used in the inhaler may change the delivered dose over time. Changes in the pressure of the medicament will also affect the size of individual droplets produced by the inhaler. Too small drops may not be contained in the lungs 5 and may be exhaled. Similarly, too large drops may not be absorbed by the lungs and exhaled. L 明 内 J Summary of the Invention The present invention is a medicament dispenser, including: a fluid medicament supply 10 box; a nozzle; a reservoir connected to the nozzle; a valve will guide the medicament supply box and the reservoir A sensor can sense a reservoir characteristic; and a controller can respond to the reservoir characteristic to operate the valve. The invention is also a pressure regulator for a medicament inhaler having a fluid medicament supply box and a medicament reservoir, including a cistroconductor guide 15 connected to the medicament reservoir; a valve will conduct the medicament Supply g and the reservoir; a sensor may sense the pressure of the medicine in the reservoir; and a controller may operate the valve in response to the pressure of the medicine. The present invention is also a method for adjusting the pressure of a medicament in an inhaler. The delta inhaler includes a fluid medicament supply box and a medicament reservoir connected to the supply box. The method includes: sensing the reservoir The first medicament pressure in the reservoir; comparing the sensed pressure to a minimum pressure; filling the reservoir with the medicament supply; and sensing the second medicament pressure in the reservoir. The present invention is still another method for dispensing medicines, the dispenser comprising a fluid medicine supply g and-the medicine reservoir will conduct the supply g; the method package filling box contains: the medicine in the reservoir is sensed The reservoir, and the medicine discharged from the reading reservoir: a simple explanation from the music diagram. The first figure shows the inhaler of the present invention-Example 5 ^ 2F1. =, Schematic of the inhaler. Brother 3 is the 1st brother. Figure 4 is a schematic view of the nozzle of Tai @ ^ 入 器. An embodiment of the valve is in the closed state, and the second valve is shown in FIG. 44A. The fifth figure shows that the tree is clear::] The valve is in the open state. The tenth "shows the operation flowchart of the inhaler of the present invention. 5 ~ Example manufacturing method flow of inhaler [Implementation of cold type] Detailed description of the preferred embodiment "see 181 'of the present invention-the embodiment of the inhaler 15 is not 10. The inhaler 10 contains-the body 12 can accommodate the overall inhalation device. As will be understood later in this article, the inhaler can eject _ the selected dose of the drug / inhalant in response to a control mouth L. Appropriate medications include liquids, solids, powders, pastes, or other forms. The inhaler 10 may include a display screen 14 that provides various information to the user of the inhaler, such as the number of doses and / Or the number of doses remaining in the inhaler. Or the dose that the inhaler will provide when it is activated. The display 14 can also provide other information to the user, such as the name of the patient, the name of the patient, the name of the attending doctor, Attending doctor number, drug type, recommended dosage, interval between medications, feasible recommended dosage, and / or change in interval between medications, etc. It should be understood that the display screen 14 can be provided at any convenient location on the body 12. The Inhale It may include one or more input mechanisms, such as a button 16 for the user to select the information to be displayed on the display 14 or to modify the operating parameters of the inhaler. For example, pressing the button 16 can be used The operator changes the operating parameters displayed at that time, and / or changes the delivered dose of the inhaler. The inhaler 10 may further include an actuator, such as a button 18, which will eject a dose of medicine for use when pressed. The person inhales through the mouthpiece 20. The 10 button 18 can also be in the form of a trigger, switch or touch button, etc. The button 16 and / or 18 can be provided on the side of the inhaler body, as shown in the figure. Or it can be installed anywhere that can be more convenient for the user. It should be understood that the nozzle 20 can take different forms depending on the medicine to be sprayed, the age of the user 15, and the medicine treatment to be performed, including, for example, The shape of the cover on the patient's π and / or nose. In addition, the body 12 can also be shaped to have a palm and / or finger _ @ area for the user. The present invention is not limited to the conventional traditional inhaler , As in ^ 所 ^ Including a straight tube design, where the medicine is placed along the same axis of the nozzle. The human body typically includes a spraying device 22 that can eject liquid drops, as shown in the paste. The device 22 contains —Fluid medicine supply ㈣ The head 25 has a large number of nozzles 26 ′ ― The valve 28 can conduct the supply H24, one =: Γ forms a storage volume to conduct the nozzles 26, the sensor senses the flow force , And-control weave 34 can return to 20 200526471 should operate the valve 28 in accordance with the pressure in the animal tank. The nozzle of the spray device can generate drops of medicine for users to inhale. As shown in Figure 3, each The nozzle 彳 contains—% of the eruption chamber will be in communication with the reservoir 30. The fluid medicine 38 can enter the eruption chamber by itself from the reservoir 30. 5 Each nozzle can accept-discharge the amount of fluid medicine and make it Contained in the eruption chamber. A part of this series can be completed by the configuration of the nozzle itself, which will form a capillary-shaped liquid column concave curved surface 40 from the nozzle to the nozzle near the nozzle 42. Due to the presence of these concave curved surfaces', the drug usually does not pass through the orifice without being ejected. 10 通 #, each nozzle includes at least one eruption element 44, and the medicine drops formed by the evaporation of the medicine from the corresponding eruption chamber can be selectively and controlled. The 7L eruption element (also known as the evaporation element) may be in the form of a heating element relative to the nozzle hole. In this embodiment, in response to a signal sent from the controller 34 (for example, applying a predetermined voltage to the heating element), the heating element will be excited by 15 and heat the medicine near the element to promote the medicine. It expands toward the nozzle hole and overcomes the reverse force of the curved surface to force the medicine out of the nozzle hole to form a droplet of a predetermined size. The size and trajectory of the spray droplet can be reliably set according to the size and shape of the nozzle and the spray hole, and the energy dissipated in the chamber. When an evaporative liquid droplet is ejected and the eruption element is discharged (eg, cooled) 20, the medicament will flow into the eruption chamber again, and after a liquid column concave surface is formed near the spray hole, a freshly filled medicament will be used. To effectively fill it. The eruption element 44 may take any of various forms including, for example, a resistor, a piezoelectric transducer, a vibrating orifice, or other eruption device that can be independently operated by a controller of the inhaler. In each case, the inhaler described in the typical 200526471 Baiyue dagger produces a Thai, six bee lice machine without having to use a sprayer or propellant. The earth's eruption elements can be controlled individually or in groups ^ with the selected subgroup of the entire group. By electronically controlling the spray, the operating rate of the 7L piece can control the ejection flow rate of the medicament, which in turn interferes with the drug dose produced by the inhaler. Its dose can also be adjusted by an appropriate combination of eruption rate and system. Such adjustments can typically be performed using controls 34. The controller 34 can control the inhaler 10 via an electronic device, a mechanical device, or both. The controller 34 may include a processor 48. The body 50 may store preselected items selected by a doctor, pharmacist, and / or user as parameters. The memory 50 may include volatile hair memory, non-volatile hair. U 体. Or both. User input, such as those shown at µ and a, typically leads the controller 34 to provide information / instructions to the processor 48, such as information about the dose of drug to be released. Such information may also be provided directly or indirectly by the user, doctor or pharmacist. 15 The controller 34 will also be connected to the nozzle 26 to control the spray element 44. Usually, these instructions are sent in the form of an electronic signal to one or more eruption elements to excite the elements to cause the eruption of the droplet. Therefore, when the user inputs or activates the trigger input 18, the controller 34 will send a transmission signal to the at least one eruption element 44. When a transmission signal is received, each spraying element 20 will cause a spray droplet, as described above. In general, the varying expansion force of a medicament in a corresponding eruption chamber will be sufficient to successfully eject the medicament droplet from the eruption chamber. The duration, intensity, and / or other characteristics of the electronic signal can also be changed to alter the dose and / or eruption characteristics of the drug, depending on the type of eruption element used and the required dose. 200526471 The inhaler may further include a power supply (not shown). The power supply may be a battery or other suitable power source, whether disposable or permanent. In some cases, it is desirable that the power supply is a supplementary power source, such as a rechargeable battery. 5 The pressure of the medicament in the reservoir 30 is at least partially modulated by conducting the medicament in the reservoir to a cis 52 (as shown in Fig. 2). The transition material 52 is elastic, so when the inhaler is activated and the medicament is ejected by the device, and the pressure in the reservoir is reduced, the transition material 52 will be elastically deformed and retracted into the reservoir. Container. This progressive mechanism can be used to adjust the back pressure in the reservoir of 10 knots. Alternatively, the modulation pressure may be a positive pressure, and the caterpillar can be elastically deformed when the reservoir is filled with a medicine supply, so the caterpillar will relax when the pressure decreases. The elasticity of the taper can be provided by a spring bag, rubber bladder, diaphragm, or other appropriate mechanism without exceeding the scope of the overall concept. The metamorphic material need not be a separate component of the inhaler. For example, the reservoir itself may also be shaped as a taper, and the medicine will be ejected from the inhaler at least once before the pressure change in the reservoir causes the medicine in it to be renewed. Similarly, the reservoir itself can be made of a sufficiently elastic material, so its body can be used to regulate the internal pressure. As mentioned above, if the eruption mechanism used by the 20 injection device 22 can operate smoothly under the positive hydraulic pressure, the cistroid can also be set to provide a modulated positive pressure in the reservoir instead of a negative Back pressure. By adjusting the pressure of the medicament in the nozzle, the operating parameters of the inhaler can be set to be less sensitive to the orientation of the inhaler itself. That is, the inhalation 200526471 device can be effectively operated even if it is held at an angle. In addition, by monitoring the pressure of the fluid in the reservoir, the controller of the inhaler will be able to further detect the low stock of the medicament, and the operation of the inhaler can be suspended before the use of the medicament negatively affects the operation . 5 The role of this mutagenesis helps to avoid brief spikes (or "bursts") of the agent pressure, and therefore assists in regulating the fluid being fed into these nozzles. In one embodiment, the transition material is in the form of an elastic film, which can separate the external atmosphere from the medicine contained in the reservoir. These diaphragms are typically chosen such that their size and elasticity can create a range of operating pressures, which allows the inhaler to deliver at least one dose of medication from the fluid in the reservoir without having to be supplied by the fluid The cartridge replenishes the fluid in the reservoir through the valve 28. The space of the reservoir may be connected to the outlet of a controllable valve mechanism 28, which will open and close in response to the measured pressure in the reservoir 30. Any valve capable of allowing a regulated and controlled medicament to be added from the supply cassette to the reservoir volume may be suitable for the purpose disclosed herein. Many of these controllable valve mechanisms are commercially available, and professionals will be able to choose a specific design for the actual situation. For example, a suitable valve mechanism may include a peristaltic valve ("kneading valve body"), a solenoid valve, or any other valve that can operate automatically. 20 Please understand that although this valve mechanism is a valve mechanism with controllable opening and closing, a more expensive valve mechanism with feasible flow control can also replace an opening and closing valve mechanism. The inlet of the valve 28 can be conducted to the fluid medicine supply cassette 24. When the back pressure in the reservoir reaches a minimum acceptable value, the valve 28 will be opened, and the space in the reservoir will be opened to the medicine supply cassette. Pharmacy meeting 200526471 flows into the reservoir, increasing the pressure of the medicament. When the back pressure is greater than a second · double accessible double value, the valve will close. In this manner, the valve 28 and the transformer 52 can form an operating pressure regulating mechanism. Typically, the fluid in the reservoir 30 will be maintained at a pressure that can be changed within 5 degrees of the operating limit of the nozzles 26 without drying out the pressure in the medicament supply cassette. The valve 28 may be an electronically controlled valve. In particular, the small solenoid actuated-fluid valve would be suitable for use with the disclosed inhaler. If it is a smaller, smaller type valve, it will be better, and various micro-manufactured valves can also be used. A microvalve is a mechanical device that controls the flow of fluid in extremely fine channels. The micro-valve system can be operated by applying electrostatic force, magnetic force, or piezoelectric force to the book. The microvalve system can be made by, for example, thin film deposition, lithography, micromachining, or the like, or a combination thereof. A representative microvalve 54 is shown schematically in Figures 4A and 4B. The valve 54 includes an inlet 56 ', an outlet 58, and a fixed top plate 60, a fixed bottom plate 62, and a flexible baffle 64 containing a seal 66. The flexible baffle 64 can be separated from the top plate by a 15 spacer 68 and a narrow air gap 70. Under normal conditions, the baffle 64 will abut against the fixed bottom plate 62, so the seal 66 will prevent fluid from flowing from the inlet 56 to the outlet 58. However, when a voltage is applied between the electrode 72 connected to the board and the electrode 74 connected to the top plate 60, the baffle will be flexed electrostatically, as shown in FIG. 4B. As a result, the seal will be moved away from the bottom plate 'so that the fluid can flow from the inlet to the outlet. The inhaler may include a -sensor 32, which is configured to sense the characteristics of the reservoir. The sensor can be configured to directly measure the medicament strength in the reservoir or to measure the volume formed by the reservoir and the cis-change substance, thereby indirectly measuring the pressure of the medicine. The sensor will send the measured value to the controller 13 200526471 34 ’so the _ will operate when needed. In the embodiment, the sensor is a pressure sensor and is located adjacent to the nozzle 25, so the fluid pressure measured by the sensor is almost equivalent to the fluid pressure of each nozzle 26. This will help ensure that the modulated fluid pressure in each nozzle is limited to the operating parameters stored in the controller. The fluid pressure can be continuously sensed or sensed as a 0-gauge segment of the knife, or in response to a specific operation of the controller or user. 10 15 20 The medicine supply unit can be made with the reservoir, nozzle, etc., or it can be unloaded separately. In particular, medicines that can be removed and replaced will be particularly useful when, for example, refilling is required. If the design of the medicine is engraved with money, it will be costly. That is, the supply Heco number is completely empty 'and when the suction device is no longer used, it will not remain in the supply. Considerations can optimize the viewer: security, disposability, and cost. For example, the increase in the number of medicaments due to the increase in the number of medicaments that can be supplied and delivered can greatly improve the volumetric efficiency of the inhaler. Plus: The volume of retained fluid in the fluid is reduced below the original fluid volume, or even less than 5%. The cost of the medicine is very important, because Shagou A & J ^ is more private ^, __ may be the whole absorption ^ More valuable. Moreover, in some countries, there can be more than a certain amount of leftover, empty medicine containers that are discarded. For these reasons, the supply craftsman will include _ the medicine for training can be restricted. Add m pieces. ^ To quickly fill the container volume _ will be provided to the parts ^
14 200526471 10 15 20 藥劑供應E可使用許多方法來加壓。該供應昆可包含一加 壓氣體，或為一可藉彈簀壓力來壓縮的貯槽（如第2圖所 示），或為一氣體加壓的彈性體或滾壓的犋袋。若該供應匡 包含一滚壓的膜袋，則可使用-扁平彈簧，或“固定力’， 彈簧，來使施於該袋的壓力在該袋耗空時可以保持固定。 雖有多種加壓流體供餘被揭述如上，應可瞭解一可容 許流體被紐或靠4力^該㈣的藥劑供 用於所揭的目的。 所揭之吸入器的操作乃包括第5圖1__^ 各步驟。使用者可在82啟動藥劑的喷發 :使用壓力感測器來測出該蓄貯器内的流 4，，亥控制益會判定所測出的蓄貯器壓 器記憶體所記錄的壓力參數内。若所^介於該控制 於操作該等喷嘴的最小值，則在88會^貯器壓力低 的間。於-實施例中，該閥在9〇可保持樂劑供舰 壓力達到一介於該吸入器之操作範圍内；;^到該蓄貯器 測出-適當塵力時，該閥會在92關閉 ^值為止。當 若該闕保持職，絲—設定㈣=會在94喷出。 到一限定的最小蓄貯ϋ壓力時，則在力仍未能達 提示使用者該_供應g可能已耗空^產生—失誤訊息 器’該噴發機構將會在96被中止。在—為:免損及該吸入 控制器將會在98判斷使用該藥劑供騎H運作發生後， 次是否等於或大於容許該供應Μ使用^了的噴發總數 次數係小於所容許的最大次數，則1大數次。若嗔發 、X過種可在100完14 200526471 10 15 20 Drug supply E can be pressurized using many methods. The supply tank may contain a pressurized gas, or a storage tank that can be compressed by impulse pressure (as shown in Figure 2), or a gas-pressurized elastomer or a rolled bag. If the supply container contains a rolled film bag, a flat spring, or "holding force", spring can be used to keep the pressure applied to the bag fixed while the bag is empty. Although there are many types of pressure The fluid supply is disclosed as above. It should be understood that a fluid that can tolerate the fluid or the force is used for the disclosed purpose. The operation of the disclosed inhaler includes the steps shown in Figure 1 __ ^ in Figure 5. The user can start the eruption of the medicament at 82: use a pressure sensor to measure the flow in the reservoir 4, and the control will determine the measured pressure parameter recorded in the reservoir pressure memory If the pressure is between the minimum value of the control and the operation of the nozzles, the pressure of the reservoir will be low at 88. In the embodiment, the valve can maintain the pressure of the drug supply vessel at 90 ° to reach a level. Within the operating range of the inhaler; ^ to the reservoir measured-when the appropriate dust force, the valve will close at 92 ^ value. When the 阙 keep working, the wire-set ㈣ = will spray at 94 When a limited minimum storage pressure is reached, the user cannot be reminded that the supply g has been exhausted when the force is still not reached. ^ Generation-Error message device 'The eruption mechanism will be suspended at 96. After-for: damage prevention and the inhalation controller will determine at 98 whether the use of the drug for riding H operation is equal to or greater than the allowable The total number of eruptions used in the supply of M is less than the maximum number allowed, and then the number of large eruptions is 1. If the eruption and X seeding can be completed in 100
15 200526471 5 10 15 成右貝电二人數寺於或大於該供應匿所容許的最多次數， 則該吸入器會在102產生一失誤 劑供隸。 ❹者更換該藥 應請瞭解，若不在88開啟該間，嗣再測量該蓄貯哭壓 力直到其介於操作範圍㈣止， 定時間，然後關閉，再來測量蓄 貯器壓力並未介於限定的操作範圍内，則詞可^則的二 段更長的㈣。通常，若所測出壓力低於預二厶= 貝":::贿被打開以容許更多的藥劑流入該蓄貯器，而當 蓄貝丁窃壓力上升到至少一預定 田 力又會再度被感測來·。《―£叫’該蓄貯賴 以上所揭的壓力調節式吸入器可依第6圖所示的流程 圖no來製造。該方法包括在112將該藥劑供敍以一間連 接於一蓄貯器’在114將—壓力感測器連接於該蓄貯器，及 在116將一控制器連接於該感剛器和閥，以使該閥能回應一 感測壓力隸作。該方法可更包括在m將-輕物連接於 該蓄貯器。15 200526471 5 10 15 Cheng Youbei Electric Power Co., Ltd. is at or above the maximum number of times allowed by the supply, the inhaler will generate an error agent supply at 102. If you change the medicine, you should know that if you do n’t open the room at 88, then measure the storage cry pressure until it is within the operating range, set the time, then close, and then measure the pressure of the reservoir is not between Within a limited operating range, the word can be two longer paragraphs. In general, if the measured pressure is lower than the pre-second pressure = 贝 :::: bribe is opened to allow more medicament to flow into the reservoir, and the pressure will increase again when the storage pressure of the pedin is raised to at least a predetermined field strength Be sensed. "-" Calling this storage "The pressure-regulated inhaler disclosed above can be manufactured in accordance with the flowchart shown in FIG. The method includes supplying the medicament with a reservoir at 112, 'connecting a pressure sensor to the reservoir at 114, and connecting a controller to the sensor and valve at 116 So that the valve can respond to a sensed pressure. The method may further include connecting a light object to the reservoir at m.
雖一吸入器之各種變化實施例和設計，及使用-吸入 器的方法已被示出並說明如上，惟專業人士應可瞭解各種 加，它實施例、設計及修正等亦可能被完成而仍在本發明的 範圍内。故專業人士可知許多變化亦可能實施 ，而不超出 以下申凊專利範圍所界定的範脅。本說明書應可被瞭解係 包含於此所述之所有新穎且非顯而易見的元件組合，且申 請範圍會在本案或-後續申請案中以任何新穎及非顯而易 16 200526471 知的元件組合來呈現。以上各實施例僅為舉例說明，而沒 有任何單一特徵或元件在本案或一後續申請案將會被請求 的所有可能組合中是絕對必要的。 L圖式簡單說明]1 5 第1圖示出本發明一實施例的吸入器。 第2圖為第1圖之吸入器的示意圖。 第3圖為第1圖之吸入器的喷嘴示意圖。 第4圖為本發明一實施例的電子閥之示意圖；第4A圖示 出該閥在關閉狀態，第4B圖示出該閥在開啟狀態。 10 第5圖示出本發明一實施例之吸入器的操作流程圖。 第6圖示出本發明一實施例之吸入器的製造方法流程 圖。 【主要元件符號說明】 10···吸入器 30···蓄貯器 12…本體 32…感測器 14…顯示幕 34···控制器 16···顯示按鈕 36…喷發室 18…作動按紐 38…藥劑 20…吸嘴 40···凹曲面 22…喷射裝置 42…喷孔 24…藥物供應匣 44…喷發元件 25…喷頭 46…藥滴 26…喷嘴 48…處理器 28…閥 50···記憶體 17 200526471Although the various embodiments and designs of an inhaler, and the method of using the inhaler have been shown and explained above, a professional should be able to understand the various additions, and its embodiments, designs and modifications may also be completed and still be Within the scope of the present invention. Therefore, professionals know that many changes may also be implemented without exceeding the scope of the scope of the patent application scope below. This specification should be understood to include all novel and non-obvious component combinations described herein, and the scope of the application will be presented in this or subsequent applications as any novel and non-obvious combination of components known by 16 200526471. . The above embodiments are merely examples, and no single feature or element is absolutely necessary in all possible combinations that will be requested in this case or a subsequent application. Brief Description of L Drawings] 1 5 FIG. 1 shows an inhaler according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a schematic view of the inhaler of Figure 1. Fig. 3 is a schematic view of the nozzle of the inhaler of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of an electronic valve according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 4A illustrates the valve in a closed state, and Fig. 4B illustrates the valve in an open state. 10 FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of the operation of the inhaler according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing a method of manufacturing an inhaler according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Description of main component symbols] 10 ... Inhaler 30 ... Reservoir 12 ... Body 32 ... Sensor 14 ... Display 34 ... Controller 16 ... Display button 36 ... Eruption chamber 18 ... Actuating button 38 ... medicine 20 ... nozzle 40 ... concave curved surface 22 ... injection device 42 ... nozzle 24 ... medicine supply box 44 ... emission element 25 ... nozzle 46 ... drip 26 ... nozzle 48 ... processor 28 ... valve 50 ... memory 17 200526471
52…順變物 68…隔離件 54…微閥 70…氣隙 56···入口 72，74…電極 58…出口 76…加壓元件 60…頂板 80…操作方法 62…底板 82〜102，112〜118···各步驟 64…播板 110…製造方法 66…密封物52 ... Using material 68 ... Isolator 54 ... Microvalve 70 ... Air gap 56 ... Inlet 72, 74 ... Electrode 58 ... Outlet 76 ... Pressure element 60 ... Top plate 80 ... Operation method 62 ... Bottom plate 82 ~ 102, 112 ~ 118 ... Each step 64 ... Board plate 110 ... Manufacturing method 66 ... Seal
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